Pressure and vacuum forming papermaking machine



E. E. BERRY June 4, 1940.

PRESSURE ANb VACUUM FORMING PAPERMAKING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledMarch 27, 1936 E. E. BERRY June 4, 1940.

PRESSURE AND VACUUM FORMING PAPERMAKING MACHINE Filed March 27, 19156 7Sheets-Sheet 2 E. E. BERRY June 4, 1940.

PRESSURE AND VACUUM FORMING PAPERMAKING MACHINE Filed March 27, 1936 7SheetsSheet 5 MQ Q 3,

7 Sheets-Sheet 4 MEUU zW/zwe y E. E. BERRY June 4, 1940.

PRESSURE AND VACUUM FORMING PAPERMAKING MACHINE Filed larch 27, 1936 E.E. BERRY June 4, 1940.

PRESSURE AND VACUUM FORMING PAPERMAKING MACHINE Filed March 27, 19156 7Sheets-Sheet 5 ME 1417 faiz'fiei iy E. E. BERRY June 4, 1940.

PRESSURE AND VACUUM FORMING PAPERMAKING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 FiledMarch 27, 1956 ME U JZZrJZZEei K E. E. BERRY June 4, 1940.

PRESSURE AND VACUUM FORMING PAPERMAKING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 FiledMarch 27, 1936 Patented June 4, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEPRESSURE AND VACUUM FORMING PAPER- MAKING MACHINE Application March 27,1936, Serial No."71',109

32 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for making paper under the influenceof both suction and hydrostatic pressure.

More specifically this invention relates to papapermaking machines ofthe Fourdrinier type adopted to run at very high speeds to produce paperwebs of uniform fibre texture, thickness and strength.

In the manufacture of paper on the machines of the Fourdrinier type, theFourdrinier wire or forming wire must be replaced at rather frequentintervals thereby greatly increasing the maintenance cost of themachine.

Heretofore, it was necessary to use very long forming wires on highspeed machines in order to effect a suitable sheet formation on thewire. The very length of the forming wire required on high speedmachines limits the speed at which these machines could be run becauseof the weight of the wire and its tendency to sag and stretch. Attemptsto effect the web formation on shorter lengths of wire by forcing thedrainage of white water from the paper stock on the wire have not beenentirely satisfactory because the suction boxes and draining devicesplaced beneath the forming wires have subjected the wire to highfrictional wear as it passes over the devices.

I have now provided an improved papermaking machine of the Fourdriniertype in which paper stock is fed to a forming wire under such carefullycontrolled conditions that the fibres thereof can be immediately setinto web form as soon as the stock contacts the wire. The web-forming orsetting area of the forming wire is therefore greatly decreased makingpossible the use of shorter and cheaper forming wires. Furthermore,according to this invention, the forming wires are supported on improvedtable roll structure making possible a more continuous support for thewire without wearing out the bottom of the wire by friction. Forceddrainage of white water through the wire is obtained by controlledsuction from beneath the wire without causing a frictional drag on theunder side of the wire as occurred heretofore.

According to this invention the paper stock is fed into the bottom of afeed or head box and flows upwardly therein to a predetermined level toform a pond from which excess amounts of stock are readily removed toprevent a storing and settling of fibres in the pond. A metering devicethen feeds stock from this pond into a feed nozzle extending the fullwidth of the forming wire and having an opening of adjustable lengthdirectly over the wire. A slice is disposed in front of the nozzleopening and excess stock is drained from behind the slice. In thismanner none of the stock'is allowed to settle out and a. constantuniform quality of stock is fed to the 5 wire.

The hydrostatic head of stock in the head box can be'controlled to anicety by the adjustable overflow therefrom and all cross-directionalflow of the stock through the head box is stopped 10 by the meteringdevice for feeding the stock to the feed nozzle. The use of thismetering device prevents the necessity for storing large quiescent pondsof stock behind theslice and permits the rapid flowing of stock into thefeed box since any 15 objectional fiow otfibresis stopped by themetering device before the fibres contact the forming wire.

The forced drainage of. the white water through the forming wire iseffected by gravity, hydrostatic force and /or vacuum pumps and iscarefully controlled in varying degrees along the upper run of the wireas desired. The wire at the same time is supported on small diametertable rolls more fully described and claimed in my copending applicationentitled Table roll structure for paper machines, Serial No. 55,753,filed December 23, 1935, now U. S. Patent No. 2,111,- 833, dated March22, 1938. These table rolls can be closely mounted together to prevent asagging of the wire between the rolls and white water can freely flow orbe forced through the wire at the open spaces between the rolls.

While the machines of this invention will be specifically described asusing short forming wires it should be understood that the structures ofthis invention can also be used on long wire machines to improve theiroperation and increase their production. For example, the speed and easeof operation of any Fourdrinier machine can be increased with theinstallation of the table roll structure and vacuum devices of thisinvention while the quality of the paper produced can be furtherimproved by the installation of stock feed devices according to thisinvention.

It is then an object of this invention to provide a papermaking machineadapted to produce paper webs at high speed by the aid of carefullycontrolled hydrostatic pressure and separately controlled vacuum.

A further object of this invention is to provid a Fourdrinier typepapermaking machine adapted? to set the fibres of paper stock into auniform web in less time than was heretofore required.

A further object of this invention is to provide a papermaking machineof the Fourdrinier type equipped with improved stock feed and whitewater draining devices to permit the use of shorter forming wires athigher speeds than was heretofore possible.

Another object of this invention is to'provide an improved stock feedingarrangement of variable size and capacity which is adapted to deliverpaper stock to a forming surface at high speed and, at the same time,free from objectionable cross currents, foam and air.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved white waterdraining devices for papermaking machines that can be carefullyregulated along the upper run of the forming wire of the machine toeffect fibre formation on the wire as desired.

Another object of this invention is to provide a metering device forfeeding paper stock onto the forming surfaces of paper machines.

A further object of this invention is to provide a stock feed forFourdrinier type papermaking machines adapted to receive a rapid flow ofpaper stock and deliver this stock at a desired rate to the forming wireof the machine without permitting a settling of fibres in the stock.

A further object of this invention is to provide a Fourdrinier type ofpaper machine with a forming area of variable size.

Another specific object of this invention is to provide papermakingmachines adapted to form paper stock into fibrous webs with enhancedrapidity and equipped with devices for controlling the rapidity of webformation adapted to vary the pressure head of the stock on the formingwire, to vary the vacuum under the forming wire, to vary the white waterdrainage from the forming wire and to vary the length of the formingsurface of the forming wire.

Other and further objects of this invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from the following detailed description of theannexed sheets of drawings which disclose pre ferred embodiments of theinvention.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a papermaking machine accordingto this invention having a short forming wire thereon adapted to run atvery high speeds.

Figure 2 is a broken top plan view, with parts in horizontal crosssection, of the stock head box and feeding device of a machine accordingto this invention.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view takensubstantially along the line IIIIII of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view takensubstantially along the line IV-IV of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view takensubstantially along the line V--V of Figure 4.

Figure 9 is an enlarged elevational view of the worm gear device shownin Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical cross-sectional view takensubstantially along the line X-X of Figure 2.

Figure 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view with parts in elevation ofa modified form of the head box and stock feed nozzle according to thisinvention.

Figure 12 is a horizontal cross-sectional view along the line XII-XII ofFigure 11.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view, with parts inelevation, of another modified form of the slice arrangement for thehead box.

As shown on the drawings:

As shown on Figure 1, reference numeral I0- indicates the forming wireof the paper machine entrained between a breast roll II and a couch rolll2 and under a tensioning roll I3. The breast roll ll may be cleaned andhave the white water removed from its periphery by a wiper lla scrapingthereagainst for directing any water or fibres on the roll into a troughllb.

Drain boxes l4 and I 5 are mounted under the upper run of the formingwire I and carry the table roll structure as will be more fullyhereinafter described.

A deckle strap I6 is mounted along the upper run of the forming wire IDat each side thereof and is trained around pulleys l1 and II as iscustomary. Each deckle strap l6 rests, along its bottom run, partly onthe edge of the forming wire and partly on the table rolls to therebyseal the evacuated chambers of the boxes I4 and I5 and to preventleakage of stock over the sides of the forming wire. If desired a dandyroll or water marking roll I! can be rotatably mounted along the upperrun of the wire between the boxes H and I5 to mark the web on the wire.

The head box 22 of the machine is mounted behind the breast roll H onpivots 2| held in supports 22. The head box comprises a verticalcompartment 22 adapted to receive aqueous suspensions of stock from aplurality of pipes such as 24- entering into the compartment 23 near thebottom thereof. The stock is preferably distributed equally through aplurality of branch pipes such as 24 from' a manifold header pipe (notshown) extending across the full width of the compartment 23. The headbox 20 also contains a horizontally disposed compartment 25 whichextends over the top run of the forming wire III as shown.

The entire head box 20 can be swung backwards to the position shown indotted lines as at Ma by merely tilting the box on the pivots 2|.Instead of pivotally mounting the box, it can be slidably mounted in asupport for movement in a vertical direction above the wire In or in ahorizontal direction back from the breast roll ll.

When it is desired to change the Fourdrinier wire ID the head box 20 ismoved away from the wire as described above. The support 26 for thebreast roll II is then removed and the breast roll is allowed to dropwhile supported on arms 21 which are pivoted at 28 to the box ll so asto place the breast roll closer to the couch roll I2.

The couch roll I2 is preferably of a cantilever construction wherein asupporting bracket thereof can be removed from one end of the roll andthe wire slipped over the roll before the supporting bracket isreplaced. Likewise the tensioning roller l3 can be raised by rotatingthe shaft 28 which carries arms such as 28a at each end iii thereof. Theshaft 28 is rotatably carried. in supports 36 depending from the box l5.The arms 280 are pivoted to link members 29 which rotatably support theroll I3. Other link members such as 29a connect the ends of the supports36 and the links 29 to guide the roll l3.

The new wire is then slipped over the couch roll, the tensioning rolland the breast roll. The breast and tensioning rolls are then placedinto their operating positions by allowing the tensioning roll |3 torest on the bottom run of the wire l6 and by replacing the support 26for the breast roll.

It will be noted that the standards 3| and 32 for the box l4 and thestandards 33 and 34 for the box l are removable to permit the mountingof a new wire on the machine such as by stringing the new wire alongsidethe machine. The boxes l4 and I5 during the wire changing are supportedon track structure as will be hereinafter described.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 the head box or stock feeding device 26comprises the vertically disposed box 23 defining a chamber 46 adaptedto receive the paper stock from the p pes 24. The stock flows upwardlyin the chamber 46 around a curved vertically adjustable baffle plate 4|located on one side of the bottom portion of the box. The top portion ofthe box is provided with an opening 42 on each side thereofcommunicating with overflow boxes 43 and 44 respectively carried on eachside of the box 23. These overflow boxes 43 and 44 are drained throughpipes 45 communicat ng with the bottoms thereof and the thus removedstock can be recirculated to be mixed with the feed to the box 23.

Plates H6 and III are slidable in the chamber 46 in front of theopenings 42 as will be mor fully hereinafter described. These plates Itand III are provided with smaller openings such as 46. The openings 46are adapted to be closed by gates 41 slidably mounted in tracks 48formed on the plates 6 and Ill. The gates 41 have bosses 41a formedthereon in screw thread engagement with threaded rods 49 extending tothe top of the box 23 and having manually operable wheels 56 thereon forpermitting rotation of the rods to raise or lower the gates 41 relativeto the openings 46.

In this manner a definitely controlled drainage of stock can bemaintained under the to level of the stock in the box 23 as determinedby the position of the plates 6 and II to maintain the fibres of thestock in a uniform suspension and prevent accumulations of white waterand foam at the top level. The ates 41 can also be used for controlledoverflow of stock when the level of stock is below the top edges of theplates 6 and III.

A metering wheel 5| is mounted above the bafiie 4| in the stock box 23and is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction. The meterin wheel 5| isprovided with a plurality of vanes 52 defining therebetween a pluralityof pockets 53 adapted to receive stock as it flows upwardly over thebaffle 4| and deliver this stock to a feed nozzle 54 located behind thebaffle 4| and extending over the forming wire l6 as shown in Figure 3.The nozzle 54 extends across the full width of the wire l6 and isprovided at its entrance, under the metering wheel 5|, with a pluralityof parallel disposed ribs 55 in spaced relation from each other fordirecting a parallel flow of stock from the metering wheel into thenozzle.

The metering wheel therefore acts as an undershot wheel for tapping offa uniform predetermined amount of stock from the feed box 23 into thenozzle 54.

An apron .56 is secured on the lower lip of the nozzle 54 and is adaptedto rest on the forming wire l6. The apron 5'6 can be composed of aflexible metal sheet, rubber, or a resin impregnated fabric material.

The top lip of the nozzle 54 receives a plate 51 which is slidablethereover and is secured at its end to a vertical plate 58 extendingacross the full width of the horizontal portion 25 of the box 26 betweenthe side plates 59 and 66 thereof.

The plate 58 is carried in saddles 6| and 62 which are slidable alongthe tops of the plates 59 and 66 respectively. A sliding of the saddles6| and 62 on the plates 59 and 66 is manually effected by threaded rods63 and 64 respectively operated by hand wheels 65 and 66. The rods 68and 64 are in screw thread engagement with the bosses formed on thesaddles 6| and 62 and are rotatably mounted in bearings 61 and 68carried at the ends of the plates 59 and 66 respectively as shown inFigures 2 and 3.

The plate 59 is furthermore slidable vertically in the saddles 8| and 62in a groove or track 69 provided in the saddles for receiving L-shapedflanges I6 formed on the ends of the plate as shown in Figure 2.Vertical movement of the plate 58 is effected by rotating lift screws 1|threaded through a flange 12 formed on top of the plate 58 as shown inFigure 3. The ends of the lift screws 1| rest on top of the saddles 6|and 62 respectively and the screws are rotated by manually turninghandles 13 secured to the ends thereof. The screws are locked inadjusted position by second handles 14 threaded on the screws forabutting the flange 12 of the plate 58.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3 the side plates 59 and 66 of the compartment25 of the box 26 are held in proper spaced relation by tubular tie rodssuch as 14 and 15.

A second plate 16 is mounted behind the plate 58 between the sidemembers 59 and 66 and is vertically slidable in track members 11 securedto the side members for receiving L-shaped flanges 18 formed on the endsof the plate 16. The bottom of the plate 16 is provided with a resilientstrip 19 as shown in Figure 3 for resting against the plate 51 on top ofthe nozzle 54. The strip 19 is a seal for stock flowing through anopening 80 in the plate 58 as shown in Figure 3 and any stock flowingthrough this opening is thus directed to openings 8| formed in the sidemembers 59 and 66 into overflow boxes 82 and 83 (Fig. 2) carried by theside members 59 and 66. The boxes 82 and 83 communicate with pipes 84and 85 which recirculate the stock to the supply for the inlet pipes 24of the head box 26. The amount of flow into the pipes 84 and 85 iscontrolled by gates 86 vertically slidable in the boxes 82 and 83 toregulate the size of the outlets therefrom. The gates 86 are operatedthrough rods 81 having hand wheels 88 secured to the tops thereof.

The plate 16 can be raised or lowered in the tracks ll by means of liftscrews 89 threaded through a flange 96 formed on top of the plate 16.The ends of the lift screws 69 rest on top of the side plates 59 and 66of the compartment 25 and the screws are manually rotated by handies 9Iand locked in position by additional handles 92 resting on top of theflange 90.

A third plate 93 is mounted in front of the plate 58 to act as a slicefor stock flowing from the nozzle 54 onto the wire I0. The plate 93 hasan angle strip 94 secured along the bottom thereof as shown in Figure 3for acting as a further adjustable slice on the slice plate 93. Thestrip 94 is flexible and can be set at various positions in the slot 95formed in the bottom of the plate 93.

'The plate 93 is carried insaddles 96 and 91 identical with the mannerin which the plate 58 is carried. The saddles 98 and 91 slide along thetops of the side members 59 and 60 and are suspended therefrom. Theplate 93 is vertically slidable in the saddles 96 and 91 in tracks 98therein formed for receiving L-shaped flanges 99 on the ends of theplate 93 as shown in Figure 2.

The plate 93 is vertically adjusted relative to the saddles 96 and 91 bylift scrczvs I threaded through a flange IIII formed on top of the plateand resting at their ends on the tops of the saddles. The lift screwsI00 are manually operated by handles I02 locked in adjusted position bysecond handles I03.

As pointed out above threaded rods 63 and 84 operated by hand wheels 65and 86 are provided for sliding the saddles BI and 62 along the sidemembers 59 and 60 of the compartment 25 to move the plate 58 back andforth in the compartment. The saddles 96 and 91 carrying the slice plate93 are likewise moved with the saddles SI and 62 by a turning of thehand wheels 65 and 86 since these saddles are connected to the saddles6| and 82 respectively by tie bolts I04 and I05, respectively threadedthrough bosses formed on each saddle. However, when it is desired tovary the distance between the plates 55 and 93, the tie bolts I04 andI05 can be rotated to move the plate 93 toward or away from the plate58. This adjustment therefore permits a spacing of the slice any desireddistance from the effective end of the nozzle 54 formed by the plate 58.

When the plate 58 is moved by rotating the hand wheels 65 and 68 theplate 51 resting on the top lip of the nozzle 54 is slided along theupper lip of the nozzle and it is therefore evident that a moving of theplate 58 varies the discharge end of the nozzle to control the formingarea for the stock on the wire I0. This forming wire area is furthercontrolled by a positioning of the slice 93 any desired distance fromthe plate 58. In

order to prevent any settling out of stock behind the slice plate 93 thestock is continuously flowed through the nozzle 54 in carefullyregulated amounts as delivered from the metering 5| and any excess stockis drained through the openings 80 and 8I into a recirculating circuit.The amount of drainage can be carefully controlled by a manual settingof the gates 85.

As shown in Figures 2 and 8 the metering wheel 5I is journaled at itsends in the vertically slidable plates H0 and III in the compartment 23of g the box 20. The plates H0 and III are raised and lowered byvertical rods I I2 threaded at their ends in bosses II3 secured on theplates. The

rods I I2 are driven through gears in housings H4 mounted on each sideof the top of the box 20. A shaft II5 connects the gears in the twohousings H4. The gears in one of the housings I I4 are driven by asuitable motor such as IIG (Fig. 1).

A rotation of the rods I I2 to raise and lower the plates H0 and IIIeffects a change in size of the openings 42 leading from the box intothe overflow boxes 43 and 44. Since the. gates 4'! described above arecarried on the plates H0 and I II these gates move with the plateswithout changing their position with respect to the openings 45 whichthey control since the rods 49 controlling the operation of the gates 41are freely slidable in the upper bearing 58a on top of the box 20.

This vertical adjustment of the plates H0 and III effects any desiredchange in the head of the stock maintained in the box 23, since aspointed out hereinafter the baflle 4| moves with the plates I I0 and I II.

The metering wheel 5| is driven at both ends thereof by an electricmotor I20 (Figs. 1 and 2) which drives a shaft I2I extending across thetop of the box 23 and provided at both ends with worm gears I22 fordriving worm wheels I23 mounted on the ends of vertical shafts I24 (Fig.8) which have elongated worms I25 secured thereon near the bottomthereof. The shafts I24 are mounted in an extension I28 of the overflowboxes 43 and 44 formed on the sides of the box 23.

As best shown in Figure 9 the worm I25 drives worm gears I21 secured onthe ends of a shaft I28 driving the metering wheel 5| through suitablebearing mechanism indicated generally at I29.

The worms I25 are purposely elongated so that the gears I21 will meshtherewith irrespective of the vertical position of the metering wheel 5|as raised or lowered by the shafts H2.

The above described mechanism therefore provides for the positivedriving of the metering wheel irrespective of its vertical position inthe box 23 which position is positively controlled as desired bymechanical driving means to raise and lower the plates H0 and III forvarying the head of stock in the box 23. A further adjustment of thehead of the stock providing for a return of this stock from any desiredhead is provided by the gates 41.

The battle 4I is also secured at its ends to the plates H0 and III andtherefore is maintained always in fixed relation to the metering wheel.Thus when the wheel is raised or lowered the bailie 4I follows thewheel.

The head box arrangement permits a free circulation of stocktherethrough in any desired amount to insure against a settling offibres in the head of stock maintained behind the metering wheel. Themeteringwheel delivers stock at any desired rate depending upon thespeed at which it is operated to the nozzle which distributes thismetered stock to the forming wire. In order to prevent a settling ofstock in the nozzle a certainexcess can be delivered therethrough whichis recirculated back through the chambers provided behind the slice. Thearrangement therefore insures a positive circulation of stock and at thesame time prevents undesired concentration of. bundles of fibres andcross-current arrangements of fibres since the metering wheel deadensall flow of the fibres.

In some cases the metering wheel 5I can be dispensed with but thevertical adjustment of the battle 4I will always permit the maintenanceof any desired head of stock in the box. The battle is raised or loweredto meet the requirements of different machine speeds since each speedrequires a different hydraulic head.

In Figures 11 and 12 there is illustrated a modified form of the headbox. In these figures parts of the head box similar to the partsillustrated and described in Figure 3 have been identified to of thesheet is formed within the confined with identical reference numerals.

In this modified arrangement of. the head box the upper lip 54a of thenozzle 54 is pivoted at 54b to a front plate I30 of the head box 23 atthe lower end thereof. The plate I30 is provided with elongated slotsI3I and I32 receiving bolts I33 and I34 to secure the plate to the headbox. The plate I30 can be raised and lowered relative to the head box 23by means of vertical lift screws I35 secured on top of the plate I30 atboth ends thereof. The lift screws I35 are rotatably mounted insupporting brackets I38 mounted on top of the head box 23 and aremanually operated by hand wheels I31. When the plate I30 is set in itsadjusted positions the bolts I33 and I34 are tightened in the slots I3Iand I32 to secure the plate in fixed position to the head box. Thisvertical adjustment of. the plate I30 effects a variation in size of theintake opening of the nozzle 54. It will be noted that in thismodification the ribs 55 described in Figure 3 are dispensed with.

The plate I6, in the modified form of the nozzle arrangement, carriesbrackets I38 at each end thereof on its inner face. The brackets I38receive rods I39 therethrough which are threaded into handles or bossesI40 resting on top of the brackets I38.

The rods I39 are offset as at I39a to extend toward the side plates 59and 60' of the compartment 25 and are secured to elongated straps I4Islidably mounted in channels I42 formed in the inner faces of. theplates 59 and 60. The straps I 4I are secured at their ends as at I43 toupper lip 54a of the nozzle 54. In this manner the upper lip 54a of thenozzle 54 can be tilted about its pivot point 54b by raising or loweringthe plate 16 or by an adjustment of the rods I39. This permits anadjustment of the size of the lower end of the nozzle.

The modified nozzle construction therefore provides for the adjustmentin size of both the entrance end and delivery ends of. the nozzle inaddition to the other adjustments provided in the modification disclosedin Figure 3.

In Figure 13 there is shown a modified slice construction that can beused on either of the head boxes shown in Figures 3 or 11. In thisconstruction the front slice plate 93 is omitted and the second plate 58is replaced with a solid plate 58a carrying the adjustable lip 94a in agroove a. therein. The forming wire I0a passes under the lip 94a in anidentical manner to that shown in Figures 3 and 11. The plate 58a hasthe plate 51a. secured thereon which plate 50a and plate 51a slides overthe top lip of the nozzle 54. A vertical plate 16a, identical with theplate I6, is mounted behind the slice plate 58a and carries a strip 19aat the bottom thereof for urging the plate 5111 against the upper lip ofthe nozzle. The plates 58a and 16a are carried in the same manner as theplates 58 and I6 of Figures 3 and 11.

This modified slice construction does not provide for the overflow ofstock from behind the slice but does include the adjustable forming areafeature of the previously described head boxes. One of the importantfunctions of the head boxes of this invention is to provide a confinedforming area which is adjustable in length to suit different speeds,stock conditions and weights of paper, I The larger part of theformation takes placefwithin this confined area before passing throughthe slice. Thus in operation from 50 area behind the slice.

Obviously, some of the stock flows under the slice to complete the sheetformation beyond the slice. Thus, if. from 50 to 90% of the sheet isformed behind the slice, from 10 to 50% of the sheet must be formedbeyond the slice to com-' plete the formation.

As is customary on Fourdrinier type papermaking machines equipped withpressure inlets, stock for completing the web formation is flowed orspouted under the slice at the velocity of the wire.

The aqueous suspensions of stock fed to the machine are the usual dilutesuspensions used on high-speed Fourdrinier machines.

In Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 there are illustrated the details of the tableroll structure and suction boxes such as are mounted in the boxes I4 andI5 shown in Figure 1.

For purpose of convenience the box I4 will only be described it beingunderstood that the box I5 is of similar construction.

The box I4 as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6 comprises frame members I50defining a rectangular chamber closed at the bottom thereof by a slopingpan I5I secured thereto by means of bolts or the like securing means.The lower end of the pan I5I is enlarged as at I52 (Fig. 6) to provide asump or white water collecting trough as will be hereinafter described.

Vertically elongated tracks or beams I53 are seated in the ends of theframe I50 as shown in Figure 6. These beams I53 extend for aconsiderable distance into the aisle along side of the papermakingmachine and serve as supporting means for the boxes when the pedestals3|, 32, 33, and 34 thereunder are removed as when placing a new wire onthe machine. If desired the frame structure I50 may be slided along thebeams I53 to permit a withdrawing of the boxes into the aisle alongsideof the machine for inspection and cleaning.

Within the frame structure I50 are provided a plurality of partitionwalls I54 dividing the box into a plurality of chambers I55.

The ends of some of the partitions I54 are slotted as at I58 forreceiving slides I51 therein to regulate the size of the space under thepartition walls thereby controlling the amount of white water flowinginto the sump I52 from each chamber I55. The slides I51 are raised andlowered any desired degree in the slots I56 by means of screws I58having heads I580 seated in recesses formed in the bottoms of theslides. The screws I58 extend through the pan I5I where they can bereadily reached for manual setting.

The top of each partition wall I54 together with the top of the endframe members of the box I4 are channeled as at I59 for defining a slotextending across the full width of the box. The walls defining the slotmay be reinforced by core members I60 cast integrally into the well.

Between each of the partition walls there are mounted bars I6I extendingparallel with the walls and likewise provided with slots I59 therein.

The bars I6I are held in proper spaced relation between the partitionwalls and frame member I50 by bushings I62 having fingers I63 extendingbetween the bars I 6| as best shown in Figure 4. These bushings I62receive a tie rod I64 therethrough for supporting the bushings. The tierod is secured at its ends in the frame I50 of the box. Several such tierods I64 and sets of bushings I62 may be provided across the width ofthe box for rigidly supporting the bars I6I.

The rods I64 also extend through the partition walls I54 and serve asbracing means for these walls.

Each bar I6I, each top of a partition wall I54 and each top of the endframe members I50 of the box I4, as pointed out above, are provided withslots I59 extending across the full length thereof. Bearing sleeves I65are securely seated over the tops of each of these members as bywelding, brazing, or soldering the sleeve as at I66 (Fig. 7) to the bar,partition wall, or frame. The sleeve I65 is provided with a slot oropenings I61 in communication with the slots I59 of these members. Atable roll I68 of any suitable metallic or non-metallic material isrotatably mounted within the bearing sleeve I65. The table rolls I68extend across the full width of the box I4 for supporting the formingwire I0 and are preferably of a small diameter so as to permit themounting of a plurality of these rolls in close proximity withoutinterfering with the drainage of white water through the forming wire.The rolls being of smaller diameter and supported in the bearing sleevesI65 for their full length are capable of being rotated at higher speedsthan was ever possible in driving the conventional table roll,

The table rolls I68, as shown in Figure 4, can I be coupled by means offlexible couplings I10 to drive shafts I1I extending from a gear box I12containing a gear train driven from a single drive shaft I13 by means ofa motor or any suitable prime mover. The gear box I12 can be mounted onframe structure I14 formed integral with the box frame structure I50. Itshould be understood that alternate rolls I68 can be driven fromopposite ends by providing a second gear box on the other side of themachine.

In Figure 1 there are shown two electric motors I15 for driving the geartrain in a gear box I12. Obviously one of the motors I15 and one of thegear boxes I12 could be mounted on the other side of the box I4 ifdesired. Furthermore the table rolls can be driven at synchronous speedsby any suitable belt or chain drive actuated by any moving part of thepaper machine such as, for example, the couch roll. Furthermore ifdesired the table rolls can be driven by the forming wire I0 alone bycontact therewith.

The supporting structure I14 for the gear box defines an elongatedmanifold chamber I16 extending across the full length of the box I4 anda small manifold chamber I11 located thereabove. The chamber I 16 has atleast one passageway or opening I18 communicating with each chamber I55of the box I4.

The chamber I16 can be evacuated by a vacuum pump (not shown) to drawair from the chambers I55 through the openings I18. The chambers I55 arethus suction boxes on the underside of the forming wire I0 since airpulled through the manifold I16 to evacuate the chambers I55 must bedrawn through the forming wire I0 between the table rolls I68 along thespaces provided between the bars I 6|.

The amount of air evacuated from each chamber I55 can be positivelycontrolled by a stopper I19 provided for each passageway or opening I18into the manifold I16. The stopper I19 is threaded into a boss plug Iwhich plug in turn is threaded into the box forming the manifold I16.The stopper I13 can be manually set at any desired distance from a seatI 8| provided at the end of the passageway I 18 by a manual turning ofthe head I82 which head extends from the box I4 in a freely accessibleposition.

The slots I59 formed in each of the bars I 6I the partition walls I54and the end frame members I50 communicate through individual passagewaysI83 formed in the side frame member I50 of the box I4 as shown in Figure4. The passageways I83 lead into the manifold chamber I11,

The chamber I11 is supplied with water under sufficient pressure to flowup through the passageways I83 into the slots I59 and through theopenings I61 of the bearing sleeves I65 for forming a lubricating filmbetween the table rolls I68 and the bearing sleeves I65. It will benoted from Figure 5 that each slot I 59 has a separate passageway I83communicating with the manifold chamber I11 and in this manner water isequally distributed to each of the slots I59 for lubricating each of thetable rolls I 68.

The flow of water into the bearing sleeves I65 and the table rolls I68can be controlled by hydraulic pressure of the water into the manifoldchamber I 11 to overbalance the weight of the table rolls and flow outof the bearing sleeves into the chambers I55 with the whit water drainedthrough the forming wire or the water pressure can be adjusted to merelysupply a film of water into the bearing sleeves I65 without overflowingthe water out of the sleeves.

In this manner the table rolls are hydraulically lubricated and balancedas desired in their bearing sleeves I65.

The deckle strap I6, as shown in Figure 4, rests partly on the formingwire I0 and partly on the table rolls I68. The deckle strap I6 is guidedbetween a plate I secured on the side of the box I4 and an inner plateI9I which may extend along the full length of the upper run of theforming wire. The deckle strap thereby seals the edge of the formingwire. The deckle strap thereby seals the edge of the forming wire andthe aqueous dispension of stock deposited on the wire can only bedrained through the wire under the controlled drainage effected by theamount of vacuum in each compartment I55 of the box I4.

The white water drained into the box I4 is collected in the sump I52 andpumped therefrom by means of the usual white water pump (not shown). Ahydrostatic head of white water, however, can be maintained in eachcompartment I55 of the box I4 by regulating the drainage from thecompartment. controlled by the spacing of the slides I51 from the bottomI5I of the box. In this manner each compartment I55 can be sealed andthe amount of suction under the forming wire definitely controlled bythe suction pump operating through the chamber I16 and by the positionof the plug I19 in respect to each passageway I18.

As shown in Figure 6 some of the partition walls I54 are not equippedwith slides I51. These walls are spaced away from the forming area ofthe wire where it is desired to remove any white water from the sheetsformed on the wire. As a result it is desired to have an increasedvacuum at these points created by the white water pump and the vacuumpump.

If desired mechanism may be provided for oscillating the table rollslongitudinally to prevent a grooving of the rolls by any dirt whichmight enter into the bearing sleeves. However, this dirt can be readilyremoved by an over- This drainage is aaoaeeo balanced hydraulic pressureflowing the lubricating water out of the bearing sleeves to carry thedirt therealong.

From the above description of the machines of this invention it shouldbe understood that the paper stock is fed onto the forming wire in anovel manner preferably with the use of a metering wheel which makespossible a rapid flow of stock into the head box without creating crosscurrents in the stock fed to the forming wire. The metering wheelprovides an even, uniform flow of stock onto the forming wire, breaks upany foam of the stock in the head box, and prevents a settling out ofstock.

The adjusting features of the head box provide for the maintenance ofany desired head of stock therein and for the overflow of excessiveamounts of stock to prevent a settling out of fibre.

The nozzle arrangement of feeding the stock under the forming wire makespossible the flowing of the stock onto the wire in a flat condition thatcontributes to the formation of good sheet with a minimum number offibres lying endwise to the wire. By manipulating the hydraulic headwithin the flow box and the volume of flow through the nozzle and backthrough the secondary overflow behind the slice it is possible to secureany relative velocity desired between the stock and the forming wirethereby controlling the grain formation of the sheet. The feature ofoverflowing stock behind the secondary slice prevents a possibility ofair entrapped in the nozzle from effecting the formation of the sheetsince any trapped air will be dissipated at this overflow. In someinstallations, as pointed out above, this overflow is dispensed with.

Most of the forming of the sheet occurs in a confined area behind theslice on machines of this invention. This is highly desirable in highspeed production of uniform paper. While the stock is in this confinedarea the fibres deposited on the wire are held thereon by hydrostaticpressure and/or vacuum from the time the matrix starts to form until thestock is sufliciently dewatered into sheet form. When this is done, thearrangement of the fibres on the wire is not disturbed by subsequentaction of other parts of the machine. the fibers in their initiallydeposited position until the sheet is formed.

The machines of this invention avoid the necessity of installing suctionboxes since the table roll structure includes suction drain features andat the same time supports the forming wire without frictional drag onthe underside of the wire.

The provision of partition chambers within the white water drain boxescan also be used to separate the lean and rich white water solutionssince separate collecting chambers can be provided if desired. Howeverfor purposes of simplicity only a single collecting chamber or sump I52has been shown.

The machine design is readily adapted to the changing of Fourdrinierwires wherein the new wire is strung in the aisle alongside of themachine and pulled onto the machine. All of the under supportingstructure for the machine can be removed during the wire changingoperation since the table roll structure and white water drain boxes aresupported on beams I53 extending into the aisle where the new,Fourdrinier wire is placed.

It will be understood, of course, that the various details ofconstruction may be varied through Thus continuous forces hold.

a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention,and it is therefore not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereonotherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A papermaking machine comprising a looped forming wire, a head box,mounted adjacent one end of said looped wire, said head box having achamber therein for containing a pond of paper stock, an open endedclosed perimeter nozzle extending from said chamber on top of saidforming wire for conveying stock from the pond to the wire, a sliceplate in front of the discharge end of said nozzle, means for raisingand lowering said slice plate with respect to said wire, an open toppedbox beneath the upper run of said forming wire extending from thedischarge orifice of said nozzle beyond said slice plate, closely spacedsmall diameter table rolls rotatably mounted across the top of said boxfor supporting the forming wire as it travels thereover and means forregulating drainage from said box whereby stock may be delivered to thewire under a desired pressure head and rate of flow and drainage ofwhite water through the wire on both sides of the slice may be carefullycontrolled without sagging the wire.

2. In combination with a papermaking machine oi the Fourdrinier typeincluding a looped forming wire trained around breast and couch rolls, ahead box pivotally mounted behind the breast roll and adapted to betilted backward away from the breast roll, a fluid pressure confiningnozzle extending from said head box on top of the upper run of saidforming wire for conveying paper stock from the box for deposition ontothe forming Wire, a slice plate mounted in front of the discharge end ofsaid nozzle for controlling the amount of stock flowing thereunder,means for removing excess stock from behind said slice plate, an opentopped drain box mounted within the loop of said forming wire adjacentto the breast roll for receiving white water drained through the wire,means for evacuating said box, and table rollers rotatably mounted uponthe top of said box for supporting said forming wire as it passesthereover whereby a flowing pond of stock under a regulated head may bemaintained on the wire behind the slice and drainage of white water fromthis pond through the wire may be separately controlled and is unimpededby the usual substantial con tact areas of the table rolls with thewire.

3. A papermaking machine comprising a looped forming wire having arelatively short upper run, an L-shaped stock feed device pivotallymounted adjacent one end of said forming wire and having a portionthereof extending over the upper run of the forming wire, a slice platecarried near the end of said portion over the forming wire, means forconveyingpaper stock to a forming area behind said slice plate, meansdefining a discharge port above said wire for removing excess stock fromsaid area, a drain box mounted within the loop of the forming wire forreceiving White water drained therethrough and small diameter tablerolls mounted in closely spaced relation 4. In a' paper machine of theFourdrinier type including a looped forming wire trained around breastand couch rolls, a stock feed device having a vertical leg mountedbehind the vertical leg to the forming wire, a slice platecarried bysaid horizontal leg of the device in front of the discharge orifice ofthe nozzle, and a metering wheel having pockets for tapping of! stockfrom the vertical leg into said nozzle, said pockets extendingtransversely across the vertical leg of the feed device.

5. A papermaking machine including a breast roll, a couch roll, aforming wire trained around said rolls and a tensioning roll mountedwithin the loop of the wire for holding the wire in a taut condition, afluid pressure confining nozzle disposed over the upper run of said wirefor depositing paper stock on the wire, a slice in front of thedischarge orifice of said nozzle, overflow means for removing excessstock from behind said slice, and a metering wheel having paddles forfeeding stock into the nozzle, said paddles extending transverselyacross the mouth of the nozzle.

6. A paper stock feed device for papermaking machines having a formingwire comprising means defining a chamber for a pond of stock, a nozzleextending on top of the forming wire for conveying stock from the pondto the forming wire and a vaned metering wheel having spacedlongitudinal vanes defining pockets therebetween for tapping of! stockfrom the pond into the nozzle, said paddles extending transverselyacross the mouth of the nozzle.

'7. A head box for papermaking machines comprising a receptacle forreceiving a pond of paper stock therein, stock overflow boxes on thesides of said receptacle in communication with the upper portion of thereceptacle, plates slidable along the sides of said receptacle in frontof the overflow boxes to regulate the head of stock in the receptacle,said plates having openings therein below the tops thereof and gates forcontrolling the eflective size of said openings.

8. A head box for papermaking machines comprising a receptacle forreceiving a pond of stock therein, stock overflow boxes on the sides ofsaid receptacle in communication with the upper portion of thereceptacle, plates slidable along the sides of said receptacle in frontof the boxes to regulate the head of stock in the receptacle, a meteringwheel rotatably mounted at its ends on said plates, means for drivingsaid wheel and means for raising and lowering said plates.

9. A head box for papermaking machines comprising a receptacle, meansfor introducing paper stock into the bottom portion of the receptaclefor flowing upwardly therein, a vertical battle in the receptacle fordirecting the upward flow of stock, a nozzle extending laterally fromsaid receptacle from a point adjacent the top of the baflie, a vanedwheel having longitudinal vanes rotatably mounted in the receptacleabove the bafiie for tapping off stock into the nozzle and overflowboxes on the sides of the receptacle for receiving stock flowing pastthe wheel.

10. A head box for papermaking machines comprising a tank adapted to bemounted adjacent to the breast roll of the paper machine, a pivotalsupport for said tank permitting the tank to be tilted away from thebreast roll, means for introducing paper stock into the bottom of saidtank for flowing upwardly therein, overflow boxes carried on the sidesof said tank for receiving excess stock therefrom, means for controllingthe overflow of stock into said boxes, a nozzle extending laterally froma point intermediate the top and bottorn' of said tank for receivingstock from the-tank, and a plate slidable along the upper lip of saidnozzle beyond the discharge end of the nozzle for directing the stockflowing therefrom onto the'forming wire of the paper machine.

11. A head box for papermaking machines of the Fourdrinier typevcomprising an L-shaped device including a vertical portion forming achamber for a pond of stock and a horizontal portion for disposal overthe top of the forming wire of the machine, a nozzle extending from thevertical portion into the horizontal portion for conveying stock fromthe pond onto the forming wire, said horizontal portion having stockoverflow chambers along the sides thereof, a plate slidably mountedalong the upper lip of said nozzle including an apertured verticalportion mounted on the horizontal portion of the box, a slice platecarried on said horizontal portion in front of said apertured plate,means for sliding saidslice plate along the horizontal portion, andmeans for directing excess stock flowing through the, apertures of saidapertured plate into the overflow chambers of the horizontal portion.

12. In combination with a head box for paper machines having a formingwire, a pair of side frames extending laterally from the head box overthe forming wire, a nozzle extending from the head box for conveyingstock to the forming wire, a pair of saddle members slidable along saidside frames having depending track portions on the inner faces of theframes, a plate slidable on said track portions of the saddles andextending transversely between the frames, and a metal sheet secured tothe bottom of said plate and extending over the upper lip of the nozzleadapted to slide along said lip by a movement of the saddles fordefining variable web-forming areas along the forming wire.

13. In combination with a head box for paper machines having a formingwire, a pair of side frames extending laterally from the head box overthe forming-wire, a nozzle extending from the head box between said sideframes for conveying stock to the forming wire, two pairs of saddlemembers slidable along said side frames having depending track portionson the inner faces of the frames, a plate slidable in said trackportions of the inner pair of saddles, said plate extending transverselybetween the frames, a metal sheet secured to the bottom of said plateand extending over the upper leg of the nozzle adapted to be slidedalong said nozzle by a movement of the inner pair of saddles, said platebeing apertured, a slice slidably carried in the outer pair of saddlesfor directing excess stock through the apertures of the plate andchambers carried by the side frames in communication with the spacetherebetween for receiving the excess stock.

14. A head box for papermaking machines having forming wires comprisingan elongated receptacle for mounting ahead of the forming wire, a nozzleof substantially the same width as the forming wire extending laterallyfrom the receptacle over on top of the forming wire, side frames carriedby the receptacle extending over the forming wire on each side thereof,saddles slidable along the top of said frames and having dependingportions forming tracks along the inner sides of the frames, inner andouter plates extending transversely across the space between the framesand slidably engaged at their ends on the tracks of said saddles, meansfor raising and lowering said plates relative to the saddles and meansfor sliding said saddles along the frames, said outer plate acting as aslice and said inner plate carrying a metal sheet slidable on the upperlip of the nozzle for regulating the discharge orifice of the nozzle.

15. A head box for papermaking machineshaving forming wires comprisingan elongated receptacle for mounting ahead of the forming wire adaptedto receive a pond of stock therein, a nozzle of substantially the samewidth as the forming wire extending laterally from the receptacle overthe top of the forming wire, side frame members carried by thereceptacle extending over the forming wire on each side thereof, anapertured plate slidably carried on said frame members and.

extending laterally across the space between the frame members, aflexible metal sheet carried by the bottom portion of said aperturedplate and extending over the upper lip of the nozzle, a second platebehind said apertured plate carried by said frame members for holdingthe flexible sheet on the nozzle lip and for acting as a wall, chamberscarried on the outside of said frame members for receiving stock from infront of said second plate and gates for controlling the fiow of stockinto said chambers.

16. A head box for papermaking machines comprising walls defining achamber for a pond of stock, said walls having stock inlet openings atthe bottom thereof and stock overflow openings at the top thereof, meansfor flowing stock through said chamber from the inlet to the overfiowopenings therein, a nozzle projecting laterally from said chamberbetween the inlet and overflow openings, means for tapping offcontrolled amounts of stock from the chamber for discharge through thenozzle, a plate disposed over the upper lip of the nozzle, and means forsliding the plate along the lip beyond the end thereof for defining avariable stock forming area at the discharge end of the nozzle.

17. In combination with a web forming machine including a forming wire,a head box having a nozzle for disposal over the upper run of theforming wire to convey stock to the forming wire, a slice in front ofsaid nozzle, stock overfiow chambers behind said slice and in front ofsaid nozzle for receiving excess stock accumulated behind the slice andmeans for controlling the level of the stock behind the slice.

18. A head box for papermaking machines comprising walls defining achamber for a pond of stock, boxes formed on the side walls of thechamber near the top thereof, said side walls of the chamber havingopenings therethrough joining the chamber with the boxes, platesslidable along the sides of the chamber to control the effective size ofthe openings, said plates having chamber near the top thereof, said sidewalls having openings therethrough joining the chamber with the boxes,plate slidable along the sides of the chamber to control the size of theopenings, a vaned wheel rotatably mounted at its ends in said plates,means for driving said wheel and means for raising and lowering saidplates without interfering with the driving of the wheel.

20. A head box for papermaking machines of the Fourdrinier typeincluding a looped forming wire, comprising walls defining a chamber forreceiving a pond of stock therein, spaced vertical plates extending fromsaid chamber walls for disposal over the upper run of the forming wireat the sides of the wire, a nozzle extending from said chamber havingsubstantially the same width as the forming wire, said nozzle beingdisposed between said spaced plates, the upper lip of said nozzle beingpivoted to the front wall of the chamber, and means carried by saidspaced cluding a front wall movable along the upper run of the formingwire toward and away from the breast roll end thereof to regulate thelength of the forming area, a fluid pressure confining nozzle having astock delivery mouth opening in said chamber, a plate slidable beyondthe top lip of the nozzle to confine stock delivered from the nozzlemouth against the wire and a drain behind the said front wall to removeexcess stock from the forming area.

22. In combination with a Fourdrinier papermaking machine including aforming wire trained over a breast roll, a fluid pressure confiningnozzle having a delivery mouth above the upper run of the forming wireat a point spaced from the breast roll for delivering stock to theforming wire, a slice plate above said forming wire in front of thenozzle mouth to define a forming area on the wire for stock deliveredfrom the nozzle, means for moving the slice plate horizontally along thewire to regulate the size of the forming area on the wire and a drainbehind said slice plate to remove stock from the forming area formaintaining a fiowing pond of stock in said area to prevent uneven stocksettlement on the wire.

23. A head box for papermaking machines comprising a stock receptaclehaving front, back and side walls, said side walls having openingstherethrough, plates slidaby mounted along the side walls of thereceptacle to control the sizes of the openings, means for raising andlowering the plates, a metering wheel in said receptacle extendingtranversely thereacross and rotatably mounted at its ends on saidplates, a vertical drive shaft having an elongated worm gear securedthereon and a gear connected to the metering wheel meshed with said wormgear whereby said plates may be raised and lowered to carry the meteringwheel and gear therewith without interfering with the driving of themetering wheel.

24. A head box for papermaking machines comprising a stock receptaclehaving front, back and side walls, said side walls having openingstherethrough, plates slidaby mounted along the side walls of thereceptacle to control the sizes of the openings, means for raising andlowering the plates, a nozzle extending from the front wall of thereceptacle having an inlet communicating therewith and a battle in saidreceptacle at said inlet mouth, said baifle being secured at its ends tosaid plates for movement therewith, a metering wheel in said receptacleextending transversely thereacross in front of the mouth of the nozzleabove the baifle and means rotatably mounting said wheel on said platesfor vertical adjustment therewith and with said bame.

25. The method of making paper on a Fourdrinier machine which comprisesflowing stock under a hydraulic head along a fluid pressure confiningpassageway onto the upper run of the traveling wire of the 'machine,confining the top of the stock delivered on the wire to maintaln ahydraulic head pressure oi stock on the wire at the confined area,flowing some of the stock on the wire beyond the confined area to forman open topped pond thereon, and removing stock from said pond tomaintain a flow oi stock on the wire and thereby prevent uneven stocksettlement.

26. The method of making paper on a Fourdrinier type papermaking machinewhich comprises flowing paper stock under a hydraulic head along a fluidpressure confining passageway onto the upper run of a traveling formingwire, confining the stock delivered on the wire to form a pond of stockthereon, removing stock from above said wire to maintain the pond in aflowing condition for preventing uneven stock settlement on the wire,and regulating the length of the pond on the wire to effect from 50% to90% of the fiber sheet formation on the forming wire within the pondarea.

27. The method of forming a web of paper on a Fourdrinier papermakingmachine which comprises continually flowing stock upwardly along apassage in back of the breast roll end of the machine, directing stockfrom said passage into a confined passage extending over the upper runof the forming wire, creating a pond of stock on said wire in front ofthe confined passage, and flowing stock from said pond off of said-wireat a level above the wire whereby the stock is maintained'in aconstantly flowing condition on the wire.

28. The method of forming papergon a Four,- drinier papermaking machinewhichcomprises flowing stock onto the upper run of the Four drinierforming wire, confining the stock flowed onto the wire to form a pond ofstock on the wire, flowingsome of the stock -from said pond off of saidwire at a level above the wire to maintain the pond in a flowingcondition for preventing uneven settlement of fibers in the pond. andregulating the length of said pond on the wire in accordance with theconsistency of the stock in the pond.

29. The method of making paperoii a i 'ouig drinier papermaking machinewhich comprises flowing stock under a hydraulic head along I, fluidpressure confining passageway onto the up-;

per run of the F ourdrinier forming wire, confining the top or the stockdelivered on the wire to maintain a hydraulic head pressure of the stockon the wire at the confined area, flowing some of the stock on the wirebeyond the con :flned area to form an open topped pond of stock on thewire, and regulating the length of the pond on the wire in accordancewith the consistency ofthe stock to eiiect from 50 to 90% of the flbersheetformation on the forming wire before the wire moves beyond the pondarea.

30. A stock inlet for a Fourdrinier type papermaking machine comprisinga fluid confining.

nozzle having a delivery mouth adapted to be disposed over a Fourdrinierforming wire, a top wall member movable beyond the upper lip of thenozzle to define a variable confined web forming area on the wire forstock supplied from the nozzle without changing the volume oi. the no'zzle behind the upper lip thereof, and means engaging. the forward end ofthe wall member to raise and lower the same relative to the formingwire.

31. The method of making paper on a Fourdrinier wire which comprisesconfining a body of paper stock under hydraulic pressure over an exposedzone on the upper surface of the traveling Fourdrinier wire behind theslice, supporting the underside of the wire at closely spaced intervalsunder said zone to eliminate sagging of the wire by the head of stock onthe wire, draining liquid through the wire from the stock in said zoneto form a web on the wire within the zone behind the slice,predetermining the length of said zone on the wire to efl'ect from 50 to90 per cent of the web formation therein, and

' flowing stock under the slice from said zone on top of the web formedtherein to complete the .web formation.

32. The method of making paper on a traveling forming wire whichcomprises confining a body pf paper stock under hydraulic pressure overa zone on the upper surface of a traveling forming wire behind a slice,evacuating a chamber beneath the wire under said zone, forcing liquidfrom the stock in said zone through the wire .by the combined action ofthe hydraulic pressure above the wire and the suctionin the chamberbeneath the wire to form a web on the wire within said zone behindtheslice, predetermining the length of said zone to efiect from 50 to 90percent of the web formation therein, and flowing stock under the slicefrom said; zone on top of the web formed thereinto complete the webformation.

EARL E. BERRY.

